Weak Sauce!

So yeah... I officially suck at blogging now. I feel like I had it together for so long. It's just not a part of my everyday life anymore. It's been a month since my last blog. Call a spade a spade.
Anyway, we played a butt load more shows & played the benefit for the Georgia Theatre at the Fox here in Atlanta. It was a very fulfilling yet stressful time had by all. "Toes" went #1 for two weeks on Billboard Country.
I'll try harder. Lots of cool stuff coming up.

Austin, TX

I fell off the blog wagon. I had good reason. Starting on Monday the 21st, we had 3 solid days of constant rehearsal in Athens, GA. At which, on the final day, I got sick. My good friend (& even best man at my wedding) is in the group of folks who are touring with us. That's put a bright spin on everything.
The following 3 shows were very stressful but rewarding. The crowds were fantastic.
The 3 days that we had at home were riddled by errands & working on equipment for the road. Also, I spent a great deal setting up Michelle's surprise birthday party (which went off fairly well). By the end of the day, I think she had a good birthday.
The past few shows have been great. Yesterday was in the Dallas area. We played the Nokia Theatre. What a great night. This show is really coming together to be something special. Damn Zac Brown & his good ideas.
Michelle has been out with us this weekend. I wanted her to see how hectic my new daily road schedule. I think she believes me when I say that "I'm busy".
Today was a rain soaked set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. All in all, minus the rain & the lack of planning on the party of the festival folks, we had a great day.
Rain on the forecast for tomorrow. Grab your galoshes.

Back home... like that!

Today started out in distress. Our bus broke down 30 miles from home. Luckily, the bus company that owns this bus was bringing us another one & met us in Acworth to make the swap. It only put us out an hour - even with the swapping of goods from one bus to another.
I got home, showered, & then had lunch with Michelle. Then it was the Falcons turn to garner my attention. They beat Carolina in a solid fashion. I like this team. I'm thinking a repeat of last year's 11-5 record. Our schedule is a toughie this year. I love the new digs though; a mix between the red from the 80's & the old school-new school black scheme.
My brother stayed at the house tonight. Michelle's going to take him to the airport in the morning.
I rolled out of Atlanta with Coy Bowles around 10:30pm en route to Athens, GA. We start fall tour rehearsals there tomorrow. I have a lot of modifications to be made to my gear between now & Wednesday. I also need a good night's sleep tonight. See you tomorrow.

Indianapolis, IN

Today was crazy. Not only did I wake up in the belly of Lucas Oil Field, but my eyes were open wide on many different matters. I got to meet Mac McAnally. I got to play with Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, & Kenny Chesney. Not only that, but we got to sit in with Kenny Chesney. I played guitar & sang back up vocals. What a blast! Kenny's a good dude. I hope we get to do more shows with him next year.
The Dawgs won a tight one again. I'll take the 'W.' USC got beat. Saw that. Hung out with my friend & Sugarland keyboardist Brandon Bush.
It was just a buzzy kind of day. I'm tired.

Montgomery, AL

Where do I start? We were supposed to load in in Montgomery at noon. Since we have a brand new bus (maiden voyage actually), it had some kinks that were not worked out before they gave it to us. We showed up to the gig around 6pm (an hour & a half to put everything together. That's not much time with our skeleton crew & all the gear that we have. Our expanded crew starts on Sunday. Sheesh.
The gig was great though. We played the Riverwalk Ampitheatre to close out the Bassmasters Classic. The stage kinda smelled like fish.
Anyway, I got my shower (finally) & we're heading back north to meet up with Sugarland & Kenny Chesney. I would say it's gonna be nice to see the guys in Sugarland but I saw them last week at home. Oh well.

Bloomington, IL

It was a good day. We were the first of three acts tonight at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. It's an easy gig, but you don't get much time to play & you have to be on & off very quickly.
We got our new bus last night. It's pretty pimped out. We have a PA in the front & back lounge... with electric guitar inputs connected to POD's. We also have two LCD HD flat screens that pop out of the bays so we can tailgate. We watched the Georgia Tech/Miami contest, outside, tonight. This fall will be pretty comfortable.
We're in one bus this weekend... but next week starts the three bus tour. I'm ready.

Leavin'

We had our garage door looked at this morning. It did that thing that 'it doesn't act up when the repairman is there' then doesn't operate at all after he leaves. Oh well.
Michelle & I picked up her car from the mechanic. It wasn't too bad.
I left this evening to meet the bus. We left, late, for Bloomington, IL. Not much to report. I'm really glad to be back on the road. I do well out here.